DB Central: Michigan's Training and Resource Project

07/20/2026

Apply Now: Hands & Voices Leadership Conference Scholarships!

Are you looking to attend the Hands & Voices Leadership Conference in Colorado this September?
Michigan Hands & Voices is offering scholarships for Michigan families of DDBHH children (birth through age 5). Funded by a grant from the MI Dept. of Education – Resource for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, these scholarships help families access this premier event to support early learning and literacy

- Apply By: July 24th
- Recipients Notified: July 31st

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfihpI4qt0ETIyvBNgnhOfJh1oS-I-jDd_ZC_1Y_MOD8u6SEg/viewform

07/20/2026

Haben's Acceptance Speech:

Bonjour!

When I was learning Braille as a child, I never imagined that reading letters with my fingers would one day lead to becoming a Knight. France recently held a beautiful ceremony where Consul General Valérie Brisset presented me with the insignia of Chevalière de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. In my acceptance speech, I called on communities around the world to invest in Braille. We have Amharic Braille, Italian Braille, Japanese Braille, and Braille systems in many other languages. Yet in the age of AI, critics are calling Braille old-fashioned to justify cutting instruction and production. Braille is more relevant than ever, and in the speech below I connect the dots.

France made me a Knight, and I made France a promise. I may have a ...

07/20/2026

National Center On Deafblindness

07/20/2026

The National Family Association for DeafBlind (NFADB) is having a call for nomination for the Board of Directors:

As the nation’s largest family-led nonprofit supporting families of individuals who are DeafBlind,NFADB empowers family voices and advocates for the unique needs of people who are DeafBlindthroughout their lives.

07/08/2026

Creating Educational Access for Students with CVI
August 4 - 7, 2026

-9-12:00 pm ET • Virtual

- When students with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) have meaningful access to their education, they can demonstrate their strengths, abilities, and potential. Creating that access requires collaboration, curiosity, and a commitment to understanding each student's unique learning experience.

- Join nationally recognized CVI expert Matt Tietjen for an engaging four-part workshop series focused on building educational access for students with CVI. Through discussion, video case studies, empathy-building activities, and hands-on application, participants will explore the characteristics of CVI and learn practical strategies for creating more accessible learning environments.



Participants will:

· Explore CVI from the perspective of students and families
· Develop a deeper understanding of CVI characteristics
· Learn how to use the What's the Complexity Framework
· Explore the new CVI Ally collaboration tool
· Strengthen collaboration between families, educators, and service providers
· Apply strategies to support access across academic and school environments


This workshop is designed for educators, teachers of students with visual impairments, related service providers, administrators, and family members who want to better understand how to create meaningful educational access for students with CVI.

Registration: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/58vv3m3?source_id=ee9512ea-d574-4a03-aa78-8b19bb680529&source_type=em&c=4OHdC57leSc2t_9gpmiJ73IbVR5E3Zu1KG_PDojINozrwWH3bF4TXg==

06/25/2026

DeafBlind Awareness week is here!

06/25/2026

The National Library Service and National Braille Press have collaborated for a super fun summer reading program: NLS Summer Reading Program - https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/summer-reading/

The 2026 summer reading theme is "Unearth a Story" that emphasizes discovery with dinosaurs, nature and more. Programs are designed for kids — as well as adults — to encourage reading through fun activities.

My favorite part is "Narrated Soundscapes," which takes you on pre-recorded, immersive audio journeys (English and Spanish) through the landscapes of four national parks, with narration provided by some of the NLS' own network library staff. A new Soundscape drops on Braille Institute Library's Summer Reading Program page every other Monday starting June 22. Once posted, each one stays available so you can explore at your own pace. No registration required — just hit play whenever you're ready. The Soundscape released yesterday is for Badlands National Park. In addition to listening, you can download a tactile map, access the park brochure (in accessible formats), check out a book list, and download a 3-D printable file for a related Smithsonian artifact.

There are also free "WonderBox" giveaways for younger learners who are NLS patrons (signing up is free and good for a lifetime of access to the National Library Service!) and a number of author talks (Leona Godin, Georgina Kleege, etc.) and special events open to everyone. Find the registration link here.

NLS summer reading adventure! Enjoy online events, activities & story times for all. Register & explore through braille & talking books!

06/25/2026

Conference Scholarship Opportunity!
Michigan Hands & Voices is offering conference scholarships for Michigan families of children who are DDBHH (birth through age 5). This opportunity is offered thanks to a grant from the MI Dept. of Education – Resource for Deaf and Hard of Hearing to promote early learning and literacy development by helping families access high-quality educational opportunities.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfihpI4qt0ETIyvBNgnhOfJh1oS-I-jDd_ZC_1Y_MOD8u6SEg/viewform?pli=1

06/25/2026

Annual Summer Picnic, Aug, 8th, 11AM-2PM at Potter Park Zoo.
Have fun at our carnival-style gathering with games and prizes, enjoy a picnic-style lunch and refreshments, and connect with fellow families, and members of our community!

https://www.mihandsandvoices.org/event-details/mi-hands-voices-annual-summer-picnic-2?utm_campaign=2f83205f-61e3-4de6-9374-3ea866bb73bd&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=d40cac99-e247-4260-8019-4fc572cea622

06/25/2026

Picnic with Ponies, July 18, 12-2PM,
- Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding,
- Rockford, MI.
Join Michigan Hands & Voices and Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding for a fun afternoon with ponies! Activites include facepainting, shirt decorating, and an opportunity to learn about grooming, feeding, and what horses eat. We will even make special treats to feed to the horses! Activities will start promptly at 12pm and children will rotate through stations. **We will provide a small snack, but please BRING YOUR OWN PICNIC LUNCH.

https://www.mihandsandvoices.org/event-details/picnic-with-ponies?utm_campaign=2f83205f-61e3-4de6-9374-3ea866bb73bd&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=d40cac99-e247-4260-8019-4fc572cea622